Night Shift

Thanks @Appleblossom. Yes my instincts go back and forth a bit but it is a bit beyond the pale sometimes.

You might unwittingly trigger some unresolved sexual issues ... being the symbolic female and therefore (in men's heads) standing for all the females they have ever had a grudge with, when they are grumpy.

The battle of the sexes is tricky and such a waste.

Sometimes I have stood up for myself ... not often ... it doesnt always make things that much better .. assertiveness reads better in books than in real life .. for me anyway.

Oh yes, there are issues with me being the symbolic female in that setting. Yes, the battle of the sexes is a waste of time. I think we have more in common than we have different. I agree that assertiveness is very tricky in a lot of situations.

You seem fairly aware ... hope your partner supports your decisions as they play out ... and you keep doing positive things for you ..

I am so glad you started this thread ... but I might try and get some sleep ... people for breakfast etc ...

good luck with cigs ... I found it so hard to give up .. but you are right in a way we dissociate and go through the motions sometimes before we realise ... talk to you soon

Partner will just go around alone. He does that at other times anyway. I make my own decisions. That's how things go with us. We think of ourselves as 'soloists'.

Yes, good idea with the sleeping, me too very soon. Sleep well.

Hi @Mazarita...

I'm glad you are trying to give up smoking with the help of a psychologist. I actually didn't know that psychologists were able to help with that (even though I've done part of a psychology degree!) I know people often try hypnotherapists & are sometimes successful with giving up smoking that way. A psychologist I saw once wanted me to see a hypnotherapist, as he believed I had experienced a severe trauma as a child that I repressed - maybe I have, but if I have it is probably for good reason. Also, hypnotherapy isn't very precise. Anyhow...

Sounds like the party was uncomfortable... I'm sorry to hear that you had to experience that. I also think it is best for you to have a break from that friendship dynamic. How are things with your partner?

@Former-Member I'm so sorry to hear you are homeless. I have a huge fear of becoming homeless plus an imagination fueled by anxiety. I'm hoping for stability for you & your children.

Hi @Former-Member,

Good to hear about your psychology studies. I started arts, media and teaching degrees but didn't complete them.

The psychologist I'm seeing is an addiction specialist who does CBT. He has experience in rehab facilities. I've seen him twice so far. Eight more meetings to go. Sounds like you made the right choice about the hypnotherapy.

I will take a break now from that friend I mentioned.

I spent 4 years working towards my psychology degree & only finished 1.5 years of coursework - although I did all first year, all second year (except for neuroscience) & three third year psychology courses. I only did one elective, as I found it difficult finding courses to enjoy apart from psychology courses. I haven't studied since July 2012. I've also started/enrolled in film & media production, nursing & social work.....

I would like to be a sports psychologist, but I don't know if I will ever be well enough.... I don't know what else I can do. I don't want to be on dsp forever. I have been on it for 10 years & I'm 33.

Glad you are doing what is good for you. I hope the psychologist is effective!! Best of luck!!

@Former-Member: Interesting areas of study you mention, some crossover between us there. I last studied at university in 1984. Sports psychology sounds interesting and you could possibly qualify for credit towards a restarted degree. I wonder if the Partners in Recovery people you see might be able to help in any way with this. There are also distance learning options via the internet these days. I'm also looking for more meaning in my life. Taking it step by step, holding onto hope as I go.

Yes, I would be able to get credit from my previous studies if I restart a psychology degree. I have considered doing it online & I am 99% sure that is the way I would proceed - all going well. However you can only study the first 3 years of the course online & have to the honours year on campus (there is a campus I can do this at half an hour away from where I live at the moment). To be a sports psychologist I would have to do a masters at a university 1.5 hours away from where I live at the moment. It is hard with anxiety not to worry about how & if things might work out.... I enjoy running & did a lot of fun runs for charity in 2013 & 2014... I only managed to do two this year (as I've explained before it has been a tough year with many challenges). I think my love of running would give me insight to help people as a sports psychologist. In the meantime, small stepping stones & at the moment that is yoga twice a week.

The elective I did was a Modern English Literature course. Did you do any English Lit courses in your Arts degree? I loved reading the books & I did well with the reviews - even though I had no idea what I was doing (English Lit & Psychology writing is such a stark difference!). I did really well with the creative writing assignment for the novel Atonement.

I'm not sure what Partners in Recovery can do. The other team did call back on Friday. I missed the call as I had a busy day, but I will try to ring back on Monday.

I hope you can find some meaning in your life.... *hug*